Category: Spiritual

He Wouldn’t…

Wiwohka8 Comments

In a world where black is white, up is down, and right is wrong, we may sometimes feel as if God isn’t paying attention… or is sitting idly by, while we suffer through things that He could easily rescue us from. Our human hurt, confusion, anger and/or grief overwhelm us, blotting out the SON!

For me, it is very easy to become discouraged about my circumstances, when I naively begin assuming that He isn’t paying attention. If I let myself, I can have a myriad of differing types of pity parties… all in an instant, if I hold to my own understanding and forget to look up!

Look up for what, you may be wondering? When I look up to see what God has done, is doing, and will faithfully continue to do for my good, and my future within His purpose!

It is so frustrating to observe how we humans have such a propensity to take our eyes off of God when things are going good, but when we experience anything beyond our understanding, rather than being angry at Satan and his minions for the wickedness they’ve caused upon this earth, in our hurt and confusion, we blame God!

Oh, we don’t blame Him for causing a thing… no no, we just like to blame Him for apparently doing nothing to help us!

For so many, it is far easier to make a list of what God wouldn’t, couldn’t or won’t do for us, his children… than to believe and trust in who we know He IS!

Psalm 23

A psalm of David.

1 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
2     He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3     he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
    for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk
    through the darkest valley,[a]
I will fear no evil,
    for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
    they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me
    in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
    my cup overflows.
6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me
    all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
    forever.

When I am struggling with a thing, regardless of what or how difficult it might be, I tell you this… I go to His word!

Writing down a list for you, reflecting my grief credentials and qualifications, might be great for playing the “I’ll show you my scars, if you show me yours” game, but not for expressing genuine empathy to others, who are hurting desperately, over a thing.

Another blogger wrote an article the other day about understanding why God seemingly steps back and allows bad things to happen to good people, refusing to intercede. That is an age old question… mainly because humanity has a habit of circling the wagon, as far as repeating a thing over and over, expecting a different outcome.

Things went sideways from the moment Satan tempted Eve, and in turn, Adam. We could go all the way back to asking why God allowed Cain to murder his brother, Abel? Or what about the flood, why didn’t God let anyone else on the boat… well, that was ultimately their sinful choice, if you want my two cents.

Or, how might things have gone with Abraham and his son, Isaac? How must the man have struggled with the why’s, as he walked his only son up that mountain to offer him as a sacrifice to God, on blind faith? Did God actually ever make him kill the child… of course not! It was all about the man’s faith!

Let us not forget Joseph in the well, Moses and the Israelites, or King David, all those years before he was actually sitting upon the throne. Oh, the questioning and doubts they must have wrestled with, deep into the shadows of the night! We don’t have all day, so I’ll leave you with one last example before you go:

39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” Matthew 26:39

Just in case you were wondering, the Son of The Most High God felt our human emotions… though HE overcame all of it, for our sakes!

When I am in the depths of things beyond me, I hold to that!

We sinned

But He wouldn’t turn away…

We turned away

But He wouldn’t abandon us…

We denied Him

But He wouldn’t refuse us His only Son!

I ran, I fought, I raged, I sinned, I screamed for Him to just smite me… blot me out of His vision forever…

He Wouldn’t!

Thursday Thoughts…

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I recognize that Thursdays are normally when I write about my thoughts, but just this moment… there aren’t any thoughts. It’s as if I’ve somehow discovered that elusive Nothing Box that men swear by!

It’s rather nice in there… all spacious and peaceful. Metaphorically speaking, my brain’s barn doors are just lazily swinging back and forth, from a soft heavenly breeze.

I’ve been simultaneously reading through the Psalms and the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, for several weeks now. While I’ve read them many times over the years, this has been the first time reading both Old Testament and New, side by side.

I have to say that if you read the Psalms next to the four Gospels… it’s an amazing experience! Reading through passionate poems by David and other Psalmists, and then moving to read through Jesus’ life, I’m seeing the life and holy purpose of Jesus, from those looking toward His coming… to those that watched as He came to earth, fulfilling each and every prophesy foretold.

I don’t know, my bible always has this familiar feel to it, upon first opening it for a re-read… but then I find myself getting lost in it, as if it were a brand new book that I’d never before read. It really is true, you know, the scriptures are God’s living and breathing word! Whenever I pick it up, he’s right there with me… I can feel his presence, as of one sitting close by.

I suppose that today it just feels good dwelling in His presence… and I’m in no hurry to leave.

But, I will walk over to the microwave and reheat my coffee. OOh, and grab a breakfast muffin… mmmmmm!

Feel free to take a muffin, there’s plenty!

Was He Just a Man?

Wiwohka5 Comments
Daily writing prompt
When you think of the word “successful,” who’s the first person that comes to mind and why?
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In such a short time upon this earth, He healed, saved, resurrected, taught, and ended it with the sacrifice of his own life to make a way for so many, to this very day!

Whether or not one believes Him to be a mere man… when I think of the word “successful,” I think of Jesus, the son of a carpenter… and yet, so so much more!

Why? Because He showed me… from the moment of his birth, all the way through history itself… to save ME!

Here, my sweet friends, have some cookies…

Tuesday Tinkering…

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So, remember how I told you that my brain doors blew open yesterday, while I was taking my trail walk?

I spent the rest of the afternoon, and then even more hours this morning, doing research. I began digging deeper into the story behind our bat thingies that are flying around in the barn. Remember them?

It turns out that there is an entire community of them, roosting in our rafters. When I discovered this… I was inspired!

One by one, each of their little faces and personalities began appear. Quickly, they found their way out of my brain pan, and all the way onto the page, so to speak.

I’ll introduce them to you in the order that I discovered them. Keep in mind that while being cute and adorable, each one of these creatures carries something very valuable within their tiny little frames.

For today, we will simply make introductions, so as to give each of you a chance to make your own initial impressions, without my intrusive input… there will be time for that later.

From first to last, there are ten…

We begin with,

Mother of,

And,

Then there’s,

and her little one,

Next we have,

and his little brother,

Followed by,

and her orphaned cousin,

Tune in next week, as we learn their story, their purpose and the gift carried within each of them.

*P.S. No spoilers will be forthcoming, so don’t even try. As they say, all good things come to those who wait…

Monday Messages…

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Guess who made it to a trail this morning?

Yup! With only two intersections to cross, I got there… and two hours later, I’m just sitting down to write.

It was wonderful, I tell you, simply divine! Remember me telling you that I was missing my literary mojo, with this living in no mans land stuff? Well, oh my! I found that sweet spot… just inside of those two hours in the fresh air.

Long story short… my brain doors flew open, somewhere around mile two, and now it’s once again the Willy Wonka Factory in there!

I leave you with a song that should leave you with a visual of how I’m feeling right this moment…

In Him… I am strong!

His…

Wiwohka9 Comments
Daily writing prompt
What principles define how you live?
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I highly doubt that I could write anything surprising to most, regarding what principles define my life, or more aptly put… Whose principles!

With that being said, I most certainly have cookies for just such a prompt response…

Appreciating a Thing…

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Day and night, up and down

Out of silence, one suddenly hears sound

Happy and sad, good or bad

She is a lass, and he is a lad

Winter is cold while Summer is hot

Spring brings new life that in Fall just dies off…

Right and wrong, upright or unjust

From cruelty to kindness, or loathing to lust

To appreciate one thing, you must first see the other

Whether father or mother or sister or brother…

One might first be lost and then suddenly found

Relief surges forth and knees fall to the ground…

To be empty and then filled

Broken pieces firmly healed

From death one can choose to be reborn

Given a heart that no longer feels forlorn…

I wouldn’t have known I was truly without

Unless Jesus had first, so lovingly

Chosen to reach out!

Dear God…

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You are the Sun and I am a seed

You are the Moon and I am the firefly

You are the Gardener and I am the branch

You are the Healer and I am the broken

You are the Giver and I am that which is in need

You the Sculptor and I am that which can be molded.

Dear God,

I love it when someone writes words of love to me, and I just realized that You might really love it, as well. Though I know you are well aware of my feelings, I thought to write them down for you. You’ve shown me who you are, and it has forever changed me!

Now I can see me as You see me…

I am the seed that flourishes in Your garden. Were it not for You, there would be no Son for my soul! I am Your firefly in the night, carrying the light of Your truth throughout the darkness. Willingly, I choose to be Your branch… reaching for the heights, knowing that Your roots are firmly anchoring me to the ground! This child is so very broken, and yet… Your healing hands have made my scars beautiful!

I need You to carry me each day, giving me every breath I take, Lord. You’ve tirelessly worked to soften this lump of hardened clay, masterfully shaping me into the beautiful creature that I am… the way You see me! God, You are all that I want, all that I need, and the one who carries me home to the place You’ve prepared for me.

I love you so very much and thought it was only right that I make mention of it… I mean, nobody should have to assume that someone loves them. Sometimes it’s really important to say a thing out loud, to let another feel the truth of your words. I hope you have a wonderful day, and remember… this girl loves you so!

If you want to write me back, I’ll look for your letter within the book You left for me. It’s just there, resting next to the tree that You planted in my Lobby.

Love Toni

The World is My Oyster…

Wiwohka5 Comments
Daily writing prompt
What’s something you would attempt if you were guaranteed not to fail.
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While I have no specific list of things off the top of my head that need attempting, I’m confident that if God asks it, it shall be done! If I am walking in faithful obedience to my heavenly Father, my Creator, and King… failure is not in the mix!

Things may not look like we sometimes think they should, and often we must step into a thing with far less ability than we have within us… but, God does not give us a task without providing His strength and skill to complete that which He has asked… so, I’m covered!

Just to put my bible where my mouth is:

Ephesians 3:20-21: God can do anything, working within us through his Spirit. 

Proverbs 3:5-6: Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and he will make your paths straight. 

Colossians 3:17: Do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father. 

Jeremiah 29:11: The Lord has plans for you to prosper and give you hope and a future. 

1 John 4: If we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. 

Other Bible verses about God include: Psalm 16:2, Psalm 34:8-10, Psalm 23:6, Psalm 65:11, and Psalm 107:8-9. 

Here’s some coffee, tea, cookies…

Enjoy them while you’re reading.

Live Wire…

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Ladies and Gents,

Welcome aboard Wind In Her Sails Wave Rider, our sea going vessel for today!

Please feel free to move about the deck, as our Captain is quite skilled at keeping us upright and speeding forth. You will find that since our vessel is quite sturdy, all you need concern yourself with is the beautiful view.

There’s such sweet peace in the knowledge that the vessel I sail upon is simply unsinkable! Regardless of weather, danger, obstacles, or even my inability to run the ship by myself, once I signed on with this Captain… He never let go!

All I see right now is clear blue skies and a bright morning sun… hey, there’s other people out there!

Hmmm… I suppose they may have been there all along, but I simply didn’t see them… until now. Who knew?

There is something to be said about the difference of things, depending on how you’re viewing them.

Perspective is everything when you’re flying blind. I’m learning how important it is for me to look through my telescope’s lens properly, and without squinting. No wonder Captain Jack Sparrow always leaned back and looked at everything with a crazy face… or maybe it was just the rum.

Anyway, for anyone not suffering from motion sickness during our voyage today, there are snacks up in the crows nest…